Partner
Carla F. Stern is a versatile family law attorney and Atlanta native with a proven track record of achievement in handling complex marriage dissolution and child custody cases involving high asset clients. Her areas of strength include mediation, litigation, and relationship cultivation as well as providing clients with innovative solutions to challenging situations. She distinctively combines strong law background and advanced legal skills with a passion for counseling both clients and team members.
Ms. Stern is a fellow in the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and the International Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and is Board Certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. She is also a member of the Family Law Sections of the Atlanta Bar, Georgia Bar, and American Bar Associations, The Charles Longstreet Weltner Family Law Inn of Court, and the Atlanta Lawyer’s Club.
A frequent lecturer and panelist at matrimonial law seminars, some of Ms. Stern lectures have been delivered to the State Bar of Georgia, Family Law Section; the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers National and Georgia Chapter and the Atlanta Bar Association Family Law Section. Additionally, she has authored numerous articles on matrimonial law.
Ms. Stern has received many recognitions and awards including Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers, since 2010, 2011 inaugural edition of the Martindale-Hubbell® Bar Register of Preeminent Women Lawyers™ - exclusively for women attorneys who have received the highest possible rating in both legal ability and ethical standards from their peers; Georgia’s Top Rated Lawyers and Super Lawyers. Received AV Preeminent rating which is the highest possible professional rating by Martindale Hubble for 12 years in a row. Included in Best Lawyers in America since 2013 for work in the practice area of Family Law.
Professional Leadership
- Board Certified Family Law Attorney, National Board of Trial Advocacy
- Georgia Chapter Fellow, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML), Fellow / Membership Committee, 2014 – 2018, History Committee 2018-2019, National Test Committee Co-Chair 2019-Present
- American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML), Treasurer 2017-2018, Secretary 2018-2019, Vice President 2019-2020, President 2021-2023
- Fellow, International Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Parliamentarian, 2017 - 2019
- American Bar Association Family Law Section member of the Schwab Essay Contest Judging Committee, 2019
- The Charles Longstreet Weltner Family Law Inn of Court, Barrister, 2008 - Present
- The Atlanta Lawyer's Club, Member, 2000 - Present
- Atlanta Bar Association, Family Law & Women in the Profession Sections, Member, 1990 - Present
- State Bar of Georgia, Family Law Section, Member, 1990 - Present
- American Bar Association, Family Law Section, Member, 1990 - Present
- Sandy Springs Bar Association, Member, 2012 - Present
- Fellow, International Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers
Lectures and Seminars Presented
- Speaker, Equitable Caregiver Statute, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Atlanta, December 2019
- Speaker, Tax Crimes and Misdemeanors, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers National Annual Meeting, Chicago, November 2017
- Moderator & Co-Chair, New Trends From The Financial Experts, Atlanta, GA, AAML, December 2011
- Recent Developments in Family Law, Family Law Section Newsletter, 2009
- Mediation Advocacy Article, Family Law Section Newsletter, 2009
- Speaker, 14 Year Old Elections-What's Happening to The 11-13 Year Olds?, Atlanta, GA, AAML, December, 2008
- Speaker, Who Wants To Be A Family Lawyer?, Amelia Island, FL, Family Law Institute, State Bar of Georgia Family Law Section, May 2001
- Speaker, Modification of Custody, Atlanta, GA, Nuts and Bolts Seminar, October 1998
- Speaker, How to Manage Stress and Burnout in Divorce Cases, Amelia Island, FL, Family Law Institute, Family Law Institute State Bar of Georgia, May 1990
Honors and Awards
- Best Lawyers in America 2020 - Present
- Georgia Trend Legal Elite 2019 - Present
- Wall Street Journal, The Best Lawyers in America, 2011 - Present
- Super Lawyers, 2014 - present
- Martindale-Hubbell® Bar Register of Preeminent Women Lawyers™, 2011 - Present
- Atlanta Magazine, Georgia's Top Rated Lawyers, 2011 - Present
- Martindale-Hubbell® Av Preeminent Rating™, 2003 - Present
Community Leadership
- Board Member, De Claire Court HOA
- Trained Guardian Ad Litem, 2011 - Present
- Trained Late Case Evaluator, 2005 - Present
- Board Member, Georgia Ovarian Cancer Alliance
- Board Member, Cabaret Host Committee, Georgia Ovarian Cancer Atlanta (GOCA), Atlanta, GA (3 years)
- Board Member, Overcome Ovarian Cancer Walk, Georgia Ovarian Cancer Atlanta (GOCA), Atlanta, GA (3 years)
- Room Mom, Woodward Academy, Atlanta, GA, (2 years)
- Annual Celebration Co-Chair, AMIT School, Atlanta, GA (1 year)
- Host Committee, AMIT School, Atlanta, GA (5 years)
- Fundraising Committee, AMIT School, Atlanta, GA (5 years)
- Admissions Committee, The Epstein School, Atlanta, GA (3 years)
- Annual Celebration Committee Host, The Epstein School, Atlanta, GA
- Fundraising Committee, The Epstein School, Atlanta, GA (5 years)
Education
- Quinnipiac University School of Law, Bridgeport, Connecticut
- J.D. - 1990
- Honors: American Jurisprudence Award, Family Law
- Honors: American Jurisprudence Award, Income Taxation
- Emory University School of Law, Atlanta, Georgia - 1990
- Miami University, Oxford, Ohio
- B.S. - 1983
- Major: Business